The head of Zeus, the supreme Greek god in whose sanctuary at Olympia the ancient Games were held, looks out from the reverse of this 1974 10 dollars. The coin belongs to the second series of Canada’s Olympic programme, devoted to the symbols of the ancient Olympics.

The series was designed by Halifax artist Anthony Mann, whose theme was classical motifs: torches, temples, laurel wreaths. Here he placed the presiding deity of the ancient Games; the profile of the thunder-god is accompanied by «Olympiade XXI Olympiad», «Montréal 1976» and the value «10 Dollars». The companion 10-dollar coin of the series shows the Temple of Zeus at Olympia. The obverse carries Arnold Machin’s portrait of Elizabeth II with «ELIZABETH II», «CANADA», «1974».

Series II appeared in 1974, when the programme was in full swing, with sets of four 5- and 10-dollar coins issued roughly every four months. According to the Bank of Canada Museum, the Royal Canadian Mint struck 12,270,011 silver 10-dollar coins and 13,410,723 five-dollar coins over the whole programme.

Struck in .925 sterling silver, the coin fits both an Olympic collection and a set of mythological subjects: it is a reminder that the modern Games grew out of a festival in honour of Zeus.

UNC condition: the coin never circulated, there is no wear and the mint lustre is preserved.

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